A new force against hunger in Zimbabwe

22 May 2007

Related pages: Zimbabwe country profile | Millennium Development Goal 1: Poverty & Hunger | UK action on hunger in Africa

There is no denying that Zimbabwe is a country in crisis. With inflation standing at over 2000%, unemployment at over 80% and one in every five people living with HIV and AIDS, the challenges that must be overcome in Zimbabwe are immense. Hunger, too, is a major threat and over recent years annual appeals for food aid have been the norm. DFID continues to support these emergency appeals through the World Food Programme. However, since 2004 a DFID programme has aimed to address some of the causes, rather than just treat the symptoms, of Zimbabwe’s desperate situation. In this time, the Protracted Relief Programme (PRP) has yielded some impressive results.

Food all the year round

Eliphi Ndlovu, an elderly grandmother, is one person whose life has been changed by the PRP. She describes the dramatic improvements that the last few years have brought about:
"I am responsible for seven of my grandchildren and before this programme I was struggling and could not send my children to school. I was shown how to make good use of my small garden and was given a simple irrigation device. Better irrigation has allowed me to double the size of the garden and to produce vegetables all year round."

By 2006, the Ndlovu family was producing enough vegetables to provide all of its members with a balanced diet. Also, the income generated by the surplus food was being used for school fees, and the younger children were all back in school. By providing the right kind of training and the right kind of facilities, PRP has unlocked the potential of Eliphi and her family, enabling them to feed themselves and take their future into their own hands.

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A fresh alternative to food aid

The Protracted Relief Programme consists of a broad range of activities that support food security, safeguard livelihoods and protect Zimbabwe's poorest people, especially the chronically ill. The work of the PRP has been carried out on the ground by 12 non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Already, more than 1.5 million people have directly benefited from this ambitious alternative to food aid. The most effective activities of the programme have included:

• The provision of seeds, fertilisers and small livestock;
• Training on improved farming techniques, such as conservation farming;
• Home-based care for the chronically ill;
• Food and cash vouchers; and
• The provision of safe drinking water (to over 600,000 people).

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The sweet taste of success

In the village of Masvingo in Zaka District, training provided through the programme has enabled Anna Muchema to make money from beekeeping. The effects on her quality of life have been considerable:
"When the project started in June 2005, I could not believe that it could help. I thought beekeeping was an activity for men and able bodied people with the capacity to climb and trap bees in tall trees. However, I decided to participate in the training workshops, and, after the training, I set up my beekeeping project on some of my land that was unsuitable for crop production."

"I currently harvest an average of 36 kgs of honey per year. Last year, I sold 23 kgs of honey and realised a total income of $25,000.00 ($278 US). I used the money to buy food, medicines and also to pay school fees for my two orphaned grandchildren. I have also realised that honey is a natural remedy for chest problems."

Anna's story illustrates how much ordinary people can achieve when they are given the right tools to work with. By providing farming materials and solid training, PRP has equipped many Zimbabweans to set out on the path towards healthy, stable and self-sufficient futures.

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Key facts

• DFID provided £30 million in funding to the Protracted Relief Programme.
• The programme started in July 2004 and is coming to an end in July 2007.
• DFID is working to design a new five year programme which aims to reach over 2 million poor and vulnerable Zimbabweans.

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